Zanzibar isn’t just one island. It’s an archipelago made up of over 40 islands. The two biggest ones are Unguja and Pemba. Then you’ve got smaller ones like Mnemba, Chumbe, and Tumbatu. Island hopping means visiting a few to see different beaches, reefs, and local life. Each island has its vibe. Some are great for snorkeling, while others are untouched and peaceful.
Renting a car on Zanzibar makes everything way easier. You can drive to ferry terminals in Stone Town, Nungwi, or even small piers near Uroa or Bwejuu. Public transport doesn’t go everywhere, and taxis can get expensive fast. With a car, you can explore remote beaches and catch boats to nearby islands whenever it fits your day. Keep reading to find out the best spots to start your island hopping in Zanzibar.
Before you start hopping from island to island, it’s good to know how the routes work. From Stone Town, you can catch ferries or boats to places like Chumbe Island, Prison Island, and Pemba. Most tours to Mnemba Island leave from the northeastern coast, usually around Matemwe. These boat rides are short. Chumbe is about 30 minutes away, and Mnemba takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes by speedboat. Pemba takes longer and is best reached by ferry or small plane.
Having a rental car helps a lot. You can easily drive between ferry docks, your hotel, and even small local markets. Many of the top beaches and piers, like those in Nungwi or Kizimkazi, are hard to reach by bus, especially if you are coming from the airport.
With your own car, you don’t need to rely on tour pickups or wait for shared transport. Most rental agencies will ask for your passport, a valid driver’s license, and an international driving permit. Driving in Zanzibar is on the left side, and the roads around the coast are generally paved.
Book your ferry tickets and rental car beforehand. Peak season runs from June to October and in December. Car rentals sell out fast during these months, and ferry seats can be limited. Plan a few days in advance to avoid delays and keep your trip smooth from island to island.
Stone Town is the easiest place to start your island hopping trip in Zanzibar. It’s only about 8 kilometers from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. The main ferry terminal runs four daily boats between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Smaller boats and tour companies also leave from the Stone Town waterfront to nearby islands.
From Stone Town, you can reach Chumbe Island in about 30 minutes by speedboat. Chumbe is a protected marine park, so you’ll need to book tours in advance. Only a limited number of people are allowed daily to keep the reef healthy. Prison Island is even closer, which is around 20 minutes by boat. It’s famous for its 100+ year-old giant tortoises, coral beach, and quiet forest paths. You can buy tickets for these tours from small booths near the Forodhani Gardens.
You can also reach Pemba Island from Stone Town, but the trip takes longer. Public ferries leave from the Malindi Port area and take 4 to 5 hours, depending on the weather. Flights are available too, but travel early in the day if you're going by sea.
Nungwi is about 58 kilometers from Stone Town, which takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car. It is a well-known beach town, but also serves as a key point for boat tours to Mnemba Island and other nearby reefs. Most day trips to Mnemba Island begin here. While the island is privately owned and visitors can’t step on it, the marine area around Mnemba is open for snorkeling and diving. It takes about 25 minutes to get there by speedboat from Nungwi. The waters are clear, and you might see dolphins along the way.
Nungwi Beach is also lined with tour operators offering trips to other small islands or sandbanks like Tumbatu Island or Kendwa Reef. With busy boat traffic and close distance to top snorkeling spots, Nungwi is a solid northern base for any island hopping adventure.
Kizimkazi is a small fishing village on Zanzibar’s south coast. The journey from Stone Town takes around an hour. Boats for dolphin tours typically leave between 6 AM and 8 AM, to chase calm seas and give you the best chance to see dolphins. Life jackets are provided, but you must bring your own snorkeling gear.
From the Kizimkazi jetty, you board traditional dhows or small motorboats to the Menai Bay Conservation Area. This protected zone covers around 470 km² and hosts hundreds of bottlenose and humpback dolphins. The boat ride lasts 20 to 30 minutes. As a general rule, you must not chase dolphins, and your boat should not be over 20 meters away.
Many tours also include snorkeling over coral reefs, and some visit the Salaam Turtle Cave for a quick swim with turtles. Kizimkazi is a great island-hopping spot because you can access wild marine life and the south coast’s marine conservation area. From here, your rental car can take you inland to historic places like the 12th-century Kizimkazi Dimbani Mosque. You can also reach sandy banks or nearby sandbars by boat.
Michamvi and Pingwe sit on the eastern tip of Zanzibar’s Michamvi Peninsula. They are about 66 kilometers from Stone Town, and the drive takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. The villages here are quiet, less built-up than Nungwi or Paje, and ideal if you want a peaceful base.
Pingwe is known for its offshore reef, about 1 kilometer from shore. Local boats take you there in 15 to 20 minutes, usually timed with the tides. The snorkeling experience is also great, especially early in the day when the sun lights up the coral. You’ll find parrotfish, sea urchins, and sometimes sea turtles in the shallow reef zones. Pingwe is also home to The Rock Restaurant, built on a natural coral outcrop that becomes an island at high tide. Many visitors stop for lunch or sunset drinks here during their boat trips.
Michamvi Kae, on the opposite side of the peninsula, faces Chwaka Bay. This side is better for kayaking and boat rides through mangrove channels. Some tours also go toward the southern islands of Chwaka Bay, like Uzi Island, which is accessible by boat or a narrow causeway during low tide. These islands aren’t tourist-heavy, so it’s a good chance to see untouched coastal life.
Tumbatu is an island off Zanzibar’s northwest coast. It is the third-largest island in the archipelago, which is 8 km long and 3 km wide. You can’t drive to it. Boats go there from Nungwi or Kendwa. You’ll need to park near the beach or leave your car at your hotel.
A boat trip to Tumbatu takes about 40 to 50 minutes. The island is surrounded by reefs full of life. You can snorkel above vibrant coral and spot turtles. At low tide, you can see colorful fish just inches below the surface. Many tours include a sunset dhow cruise with fruit and drinks onboard.
Tumbatu is also rich in culture and history. It was once a Swahili trading hub, home to coral-stone ruins and mosques from the 12th to 15th centuries. These mosques are among the oldest in East Africa, built with lime and coral stone. Some still stand in Jongowe and Gomani, the island’s two villages. These villages don’t allow cars. Locals walk along the single road and mostly travel by boat.
Chapwani is a small private island known for its quiet charm and eco-lodge. It’s reachable in 20 minutes by car from Stone Town. The lone resort on the island is the Chapwani Private Island Resort. It has around 10 guest bandas plus a Sunset Villa, all thatched and sea‑facing, blending local stle with comfort. The lodge runs eco‑friendly: rooms have no TVs or phones, and it relies on solar and minimal electricity.
Also called Grave Island, Chapwani holds a small 19th‑century British naval cemetery with graves from the HMS Pegasus–Konigsberg clash in 1914. On the island, you can swim, snorkel its coral reef, kayak, walk nature trails, and explore rock pools. Wildlife like starfish, dik‑dik antelopes, birds, and giant crabs may appear. There are no roads or cars on Chapwani either. Guests park in Stone Town before boarding the boat.
If you’re planning to hop from one island to another with a rented car, you’ll need to plan smart. Here’s what to know before starting your trip.
You can’t bring your car to most nearby islands, so you’ll need to park it safely. In Stone Town, one of the safer spots is right in front of the Old Fort, across from Forodhani Garden. There are also paid parking lots near the ferry terminal. Some hotels allow guests to leave their cars while island hopping. At Nungwi or Kendwa, look for marked public beach parking or ask your hotel for secure options. Always keep valuables out of sight.
A compact car is fine for main roads and town areas. It’s easier to park and uses less fuel. But an SUV is better if you plan to drive to beaches with rough paths or visit inland villages. It handles bumps and sand more easily. Some remote areas, like southern Zanzibar or the Michamvi Peninsula, may need a 4x4, especially in the rainy season.
Gas stations are mostly in towns like Stone Town, Paje, or Nungwi, so fill up before long drives. Keep a spare tire, cash, and snacks or water bottles in the car. Mobile signal is strong in most areas, but don’t forget to download offline maps just in case. Some islands require scheduled boat rides, so time your trip well and avoid rushing.
The road trip to Zanzibar Islands is more convenient with a car. You can drive to quiet beaches, hidden piers, and small villages before catching boats to nearby islands. The roads connect all the main points, including Stone Town, Nungwi, and Kizimkazi, so it’s easy to mix land and sea travel in one trip. At FinalRentals, we make it easy to explore Zanzibar. Just choose from our fleet of vehicles, set your dates and pick-up location, and instantly confirm your booking.
